My 50 Favorite Albums (continued)

I've been waiting for a good time to add Bruce to the Top 50.

I figure now is as good as time as any with the release of Devils and Dust this week.

While Bruce's body of work is as good as anyone's, there are really only three of his records that I considered for the Top 50.

They are Nebraska, Greetings from Asbury Park, and Darkness on the Edge of Town.

Nebraska is an amazing record.  I listen to it more than any of his records and maybe it should be Top 50 too.

Greetings was my introduction to Bruce and I've always loved it.

But Darkness is it for me.  It is great from the opening Badlands to the closing title track.

It has a drive, an energy, an attitude, and a desperation to it that makes it essential Top 50 material.

I am particularly fond of the hard rock sound that Bruce and the E Street Band make on Adam Raised A Cain.

There's probably something to the fact that this record came out in 1978 when I was 17 and full of the feelings that are expressed so intensely on Darkness.

Darkness speaks to me and that's why its my pick this week.

Welcome to the Top 50 Bruce.

Listen to Darkness on Rhapsody.

Comments

[mark]

Good call...it's funny that you mention it. While listening to the new Bruce this week I was thinking the last great Bruce CD was Darkness (well Rock CD anyway). I still remember the buzz in the air outside Madison Square Garden) when I went to see him on that tour.

Nebraska stays with me always.

I also enjoy the Nebraska tribute if you haven't heard ("Badlands"). If you don't know it, check it out on Rhapsody. Great stuff and it is on Rhapsody.

I need to start my top 50 list...the "the Wild and the Innocent..." would have to be a candidate for me as well.

[Brandon]

just in case anyone else is interested in listening the new complete album by Nine Inch Nails, With Teeth it's now available and completely authorized by the artist to stream to your PC. Here's the link: http://www.myspace.com/ninofficial

more at www.nin.com

enjoy!

[Bill A]

"Darkness..." was Springsteen's first record in three years because of being prohibited from recording while resolving contractual issues with his previous manager. In that time, he went from playing clubs to promote "Born to Run" to playing full arenas behind "Darkness", growing his fan base without a new album purely on the strength of great live performances. I doubt that could happen within today's entertainment industry, but things like podcasting may make it possible again.

Like you, Fred, I was lucky enough to see a "Darkness" show, second row at the Forum in Ingelwood, CA. It was the second time I'd seen Bruce, and it was darker in tone and even had a little rage in some of the new songs. It still ranks among my all-time favorite shows.

Right up there with a NIN show about 15 years later. Thanks for the link, Brandon.